Australia at the FIFA World Cup

Australian Peter Wilson with East German Bernd Bransch before their match at the 1974 FIFA World Cup

This article summarises the results and overall performances of Australia at the FIFA World Cup.

Australia has qualified for the FIFA World Cup's tournament phase on six occasions: in 1974, 2006 and the four tournaments since.[1] They have also attempted to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 15 times, with their first attempt being in 1966 when they lost to South Korea.

In Australia's first appearance in 1974, representing OFC, a team made up entirely of amateurs secured a scoreless draw against Chile, though they eventually departed from the tournament without a goal to show for their inaugural appearance. Australia made up for lost time at Germany 2006 and qualified for the Round of 16 before narrowly falling to eventual champions Italy. The German theme continued at South Africa 2010 although this time Australia, now representing the AFC, suffered a 4–0 loss against the European giants in a scoreline which ultimately scuppered their progress. A ten-man 1–1 draw against Ghana and a 2–1 win against Serbia saw Australia eliminated on goal difference, three goals off the Africans. Australia were to lose all three games in a tough group at Brazil 2014. In the Qatar 2022 edition, Australia made it to the last 16 for only the second time, before falling 2–1 to Argentina, which, like what happened to 2006 Italy, Argentina would eventually claim the World Cup title in 2022.

  1. ^ "Country Info". FIFA. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2014.

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